Selecting the Right Test Sieve for Non-Conventional Use

Sieving is the primary method for fraction separation, gradations, and particle size analysis for hundreds of different granular materials and powders like mineral soils, aggregates, powdered metals, dried food, pharmaceuticals, and more. All of these substances have unique properties and respond differently to different sieving actions. A surprising variety of sieve designs are built to test different materials more accurately or efficiently.

What Should I Know About Test Sieves?

One way to think of a “conventional” test sieve is one having a round brass or stainless-steel frame that nests with other sieves and mesh with an opening size from 4in to No. 635 (100mm to 20µm). We think of it as conventional because it is satisfactory for most test sieving methods and applications. Before we talk about non-conventional sieves, we need to understand the basic features important to all sieve types.

• Mesh Clearly, the most important feature of any test sieve is the opening sizes of its mesh. Published specifications from ASTM, ISO, AASHTO, and other standards organizations clearly state opening sizes and permissible tolerances. Knowing the requirements of the test method and the size range of the sample material will be your guide in selecting opening sizes.

  As noted above, the most common sieve mesh materials are brass and stainless steel. Brass is used in applications where sparking is a potential hazard and previously was more economical than stainless steel. Nowadays, brass has become much more expensive because of the rising cost of copper. For longevity, wear resistance, low sample contamination, and economy, stainless steel is the winner when sieving most non-combustible materials.

  Electroformed mesh is produced through the electrodeposition of nickel material on a stainless-steel grid substrate. The process results in precise and consistent square openings on a flat sieving surface. The electroformed mesh is expensive, and the finer sizes are fragile, but the ±1% to 2% opening tolerances make it unequaled for accuracy. This mesh is best suited for the precision sieving of fine powders.

  Non-metallic meshes made from polyester or nylon are considerably cheaper than metal sieve cloth, but their wear resistance is comparatively quite low. Opening sizes are consistent but do not meet ASTM E11 or ISO 3310-1 specifications. They are a good option for disposable or non-standard testing applications, or to prevent cross-contamination of samples.

• Frame Materials of brass or stainless-steel have similar pros and cons to brass or stainless-steel sieve mesh. Brass frames are resistant to sparking and were formerly economical but have now risen in cost. Stainless steel holds the edge for durability, low contamination, and cost-effectiveness. Stainless steel’s resistance to deformation means sieve frames will hold their shape better for more accurate and repeatable operation over time.

  Frames made from acrylic or polycarbonate plastics are less durable than metal but allow observation of particle action to fine-tune the input of agitation energy. They are also free of corrosion issues and less of a concern for sample contamination. Acrylic frames are machined for a close fit between stacked sieves, ensuring minimal loss of sample material.

• Frame Diameters determine the allowable sample volume of a test sieve, not the frame height or sample mass. For effective separation of fractions, each particle must be presented to multiple openings many times in different orientations during agitation. A large sample volume tested in a small frame means particles may not have sufficient opportunities to pass the mesh openings. A rule of thumb is that there should not be more than one to two layers of material remaining on the mesh surface at the completion of a test cycle.

  The most popular frame diameters for conventional round test sieves are 8in and 12in (203 and 305mm) for ASTM E11 sieves, or 200mm and 300mm for ISO 3310-1 test sieves. (ASTM and ISO sieve frames will not nest together.) Available diameters range from 3in (76mm) to as large as 18in (457mm). ISO sieves have similar diameters.

• Frame Height not only impacts sieving accuracy and repeatability but also enhances production efficiency in your laboratory. Frame heights 1-1/2 to two times greater than the maximum particle size for the individual fraction allow enough vertical space for particle movement during the agitation for maximum tries at mesh openings. For coarse fractions, this usually means full-height sieves should be used. However, finer fractions allow the use of intermediate or half-height sieves and the opportunity for more sieves in a stack and reduced stack height for each test. That can translate to fewer test cycles and less time for a complete gradation. For wet wash sieving, greater frame height reduces sample loss during washing.

Why Should I Choose a Non-Conventional Sieve?

Non-conventional sieves come in many forms, but all have unique features that make them more functional, more accurate, or more economical for use with certain methods, applications, or materials. The charts below highlight the features of some non-conventional sieves and their uses.

	ASTM Precision Electroformed Sieves
Properties	Electroformed sieves have very precise and consistent mesh openings with tolerances of ±1µm to 2µm Opening sizes range from 5µm to 75µm in 3in or 8in diameter stainless steel full or half-height frames
Test Standard(s)	ASTM E161 ISO 3310-3
Applications	Precision sizing of fine granular materials and dry powders More effective than woven-wire sieves for precise particle sizing small-volume samples of pharmaceuticals, chemicals, cement, food and grain, powdered metals, ceramics, and more. Ideal for use in many vibratory sieve shakers
Related Sieving Equipment	Gilson 3in Vibratory Sieve Shaker Gilson 8in Vibratory Sieve Shaker W.S. Tyler® Ro-Tap® E Sieve Shakers Gilson UltraSiever® 8in Sonic Sifter Mikro Air Jet Sieve® Analyzers
Additional Information	Electroformed sieves with special opening sizes can be ordered

	Micron Air Jet Test Sieve
Properties	Manufactured to fit old-style Micron Air Jet Sieve devices 200mm diameter stainless steel frames are fitted with a special sealing gasket ASTM E11 compliance grade stainless steel mesh in sizes from No. 635 to No.4 (20µm to 4.75mm) Verification services available for inspection or calibration grades
Test Standard(s)	ASTM E11
Applications	For use with old-style Micron Air Jet Sieves use gentle air pressure to separate 10 to 100g dry powder samples on a single sieve Pharmaceuticals, dry chemicals, ores, metal powders, aggregates, ceramics, cement, concrete, and coal materials
Related Sieving Equipment	Micron Air Jet Sieve Analyzer (old style)
Additional Information	Can be adapted to the new Mikro Air Jet Sieve™ by replacing the old sealing gasket with the SSA-9 Low-Profile O-Ring

	Deep Frame Wet-Wash Sieves
Properties	Stainless Steel or Brass/Stainless construction Frame depths from 4 to 8in and diameters from 3 to 12in Brass Frames work well for most applications Stainless Steel frames are more economical, more durable, and offer a longer service life Deep frames prevent sample loss during washing Holes in the bottom skirt allow drainage
Test Standard(s)	ASTM E11
Applications	Purpose-built for wet wash sieving Fines content determinations or washing away excessive fines from specimens prior to sieve tests Good for wet separations of fragile sample specimens of pharmaceuticals, chemicals, ores, metal powders, aggregates, ceramics, cement, concrete, and coal specimens
Related Sieving Equipment	Ideal for use with Automatic Aggregate Washers
Additional Information	Available with optional No.35 backing cloth for extended service life

	Rocker Screen Set
Properties	The Rocker Screen is a 12in square steel box with an angled bottom pan designed for sample agitation by manual rocking The frame accommodates interchangeable stainless steel wire cloth squares available in a wide selection of ASTM E11 opening sizes
Test Standard(s)	ASTM E11
Applications	Efficient primary separation of coarse-grained samples for scalping or field gradations of mineral aggregates, ores, coal, and other coarse materials
Related Sieving Equipment	Stainless steel woven wire squares in a wide range of sizes are cut to fit the Rocker Screen unit
Additional Information	Not recommended for use with mesh sizes below No. 20

	Two-Part Replaceable Mesh Sieves
Properties	Brass or Polycarbonate 8in (203mm) diameter two-piece frames hold polyester or nylon mesh squares in proper tension when pushed together Clear polycarbonate frame assemblies allow viewing of samples during testing and will not corrode They nest with each other but not with other frames Brass Frames nest with each other or with conventional metallic 8in frames
Test Standard(s)	Cloth Square openings are consistent and equivalent to ASTM E11 but do not meet tolerance requirements
Applications	Two-part frames work well with disposable non-metallic cloth for non-standard separations and scalping, or to reduce the risk of sample contamination Polyester cloth has strong wet stability; nylon cloth has high tensile strength but tends to stretch when wet Replaceable mesh sieves are suitable for dry chemicals, powders, sand, and soils
Related Sieving Equipment	Polyester and Nylon Mesh Squares are available with opening sizes from No. 635 to No. 20 (20µm to 850µm), as well as in nominal sizes with very fine openings of 7µm, 10µm, and 15µm
Additional Information	Polycarbonate frames offer totally non-metallic testing and easy sample viewing Brass frames have a longer service life and nest with conventional test sieves

	3in Non-Metallic Sieves
Properties	Durable polycarbonate frame sieves by Gilson are fitted with polyester mesh with openings from 7µm to No. 50 (300µm) Heat-cured glued construction features a polyolefin band covering the frame joint for a tight nesting seal
Test Standard(s)	Not applicable
Applications	For manual use only Lightweight and small size is convenient for separating small volumes of fine materials like pharmaceuticals, chemicals, food and grain, and metal powders
Related Sieving Equipment	Not applicable
Additional Information	Sieves are autoclavable and nest with each other, but not other sieves

	3in Acrylic Frame Test Sieves
Properties	Clear acrylic frames are precision machined and fitted with ASTM E11 stainless steel with opening sizes from No. 3 ½ to No. 635 (5.60mm to 20µm), or ASTM E161 Precision Electroformed cloth with openings from 150µm to 5µm E11 Sieves can be verified to Inspection or Calibration Grades
Test Standard(s)	ASTM E11 ASTM E161
Applications	Particle sizing and separation of dry powders and fine granular materials ranging from 5.60mm to 5µm Pharmaceuticals, chemicals, food and grain, metal powders
Related Sieving Equipment	GilSonic 3in AutoSiever Sonic Sifter Gilson 3in Vibratory Sieve Shaker
Additional Information	E161 Precision Electroformed Sieves can be used for sizing materials to 5µm with an accuracy of ±1 to 2µm

Test Sieves are Not a One-Size-Fits-All Product

We hope this blog post has helped you understand the features of conventional vs non-conventional test sieves. Please contact our testing experts to discuss your application.

Testing Resources

Standard Test Methods, Specifications, and Practices

Individual test methods and specifications referenced in our product descriptions, blog articles, and videos are available for review or purchase from the professional organizations noted.

• ASTM International (American Society for Testing and Materials)
• AASHTO (American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials)
• ACI (American Concrete Institute)
• State DOTs (Departments of Transportation)
• ISO (International Organization for Standardization)
• BS (British Standards)
• EN (European Standards)